Cardinal Fall sports have begun

WAITSBURG - Waitsburg High School coaches are preparing their athletes for the upcoming season. Vickie Hamann is the cheerleading coach, Athletic Director Gabe Kiefel is the head football coach, and Jamie Smit is the head volleyball coach.

This year's cheer team captains are Juniors Chloe McCaw and Audrey Walker. McCaw is in her third year of cheer, and Walker is in her second. Other teammates include juniors Victoria Whitmore, Bella Contreras, Yaneli Fores, sophomore Sasha Mercado, and freshman Holley Jensen.

Karen Huwe

Waitsburg High School football cheerleaders: (l-r) Yaneli Flores, Victoria Whitmore, Bella Contreras, Chloe McCaw, Holley Jensen, and Audrey Walker

"This is a great group of young ladies. They get along well, learn quickly, and are eager to cheer on the WHS Cardinals," said Hamann. "We invite everyone to join us for the first home football game on September 4, at 7 p.m."

On September 8, the cheerleaders and the other fall sports teams will join the Waitsburg Booster Club for its Fall Sports Kick-off at 6 p.m. in the elementary multi-purpose room.

Head Football Coach Gabe Kiefel said, "This year is starting off great. We've had a lot of energy and buy-in for the first week of practice. I was a little worried about numbers, but we had a consistent 15 players at practice for the high school every day. We have leaders who are stepping up, younger players who are showing growth, and a work ethic I'm not sure I've seen before."

Assistant Football Coach Dane Kiefel is the defensive coordinator, and Assistant Coach Lash LaRue is the offensive coordinator. Volunteer coaches are Scott Creeley, Josh Gonzalez, Martin Vasquez and Joey Webber.

The middle school football coaches and volunteers also play a major part in the high school program. Middle school Head Coach Chris Andrews, and MS Assistant Coach Gavin Waggoner are joined by volunteer coaches Dylan Swan and Zach Cooper this year.

Seniors JJ Gleason and Landen Henry are returning to the HS football team. Gleason is coming off a knee injury, but he's looking fast, healthy, and eager to add to his impressive stats from last year. Gleason impressed league coaches last year with his speed and field awareness. After a game where the Cardinals won by only a few points, the opposing coach said the teams were well matched, but they just didn't have a JJ.

Landen Henry will be looking to add to his impressive stats. He's tall, solid, and a force to be reckoned with, and opponents will have to prepare for him. Both seniors are stepping up as leaders, showing grit, work ethic, and are role models for the team's younger players.

The three juniors on the team, Camdyn Vories, Gavin Harrison, and Dylan Gutierrez, are looking to earn their place on the field in offense and defense. Harrison is relatively new to the program. He has served as a team manager, and now he's putting on pads and getting after it. He is competing for positions on offense and defense. Gutierrez is joining the team this year after missing what would have been his sophomore season. He brings a fresh perspective and size.

The team's low number of upperclassmen is offset by the size, depth, and cohesiveness of the sophomore class. Committed and hardworking, they will make up the breadth of the line on both offense and defense.

Alex Zuniga is returning this year with experience. He is strong, determined, and fundamentally sound. He will play at offensive guard and defensive end.

Gage Mynear is bound and determined to make it onto the field this season. He is recovering from a knee injury from last year and has spent a lot of time in the weight room. He's big, strong, and hard to move; great attributes for both the offensive and defensive lines.

Carsyn Pennington is also fighting for a spot on the field. Kiefel said he is probably the most coachable and determined player he has had the pleasure of coaching.

Sophomore skill players include Uriah York, who is returning after playing last season as a wide receiver and defensive back. He is fundamentally sound and adds versatility. Kiefel is looking for York to play a bigger role on offense and defense, moving to slot-receiver/running back and linebacker, respectively.

Jake Lynch will also add to his playing time. Arguably the hardest hitter on the team, Lynch will anchor the team on both offense and defense, playing running back and linebacker.

Carter Barron will add height as wide receiver and corner. Liam Kiefel's role will shift slightly. He will still be the understudy for quarterback, but they will utilize him more as a receiver and at cornerback on defense. Andrew Gillum may be a surprise, joining the team for the first time as a sophomore. He transferred to Waitsburg last season and is working hard to find his role on the team.

Two of the three freshmen are the team's biggest players. Arrow Groom is a big man with fast feet. He is already showing that he will compete with anyone. Kiefel would not be surprised if he becomes a 4-year starter. Carson Scott brings size and shows great promise. He is new to football but catching on quickly.

Freshman Abel Creeley, brings his experience from middle school football and is committed and working hard. It will be fun to see everything come together for him.

"Overall, I am very excited for football this season. We may not have big numbers in terms of participation, but I anticipate big numbers in the stat book and on the scoreboard," said Kiefel.

The Cardinals will play at Pomeroy in a jamboree on Friday, August 28, with kickoff at 5 p.m. The first season game will be in Waitsburg on Friday, September 4. Come cheer on the Cardinals as they take on Sunnyside Christian. Kickoff at 7 p.m.

Coach Smit, in her second year as Waitsburg's head volleyball coach, welcomed twenty-one girls on the first day of practice, including nine returning players. Elizabeth Sutton will be the assistant coach.

Karen Huwe

WHS volleyball team:  (back row l-r):  Harlee Coulston, Mady Potter, Emerson Underwood, Cheri Mathews, Ellie Teal, Katy Allen, Olivia Kiefel, Kenzie Castillo, Rylie Coates, Laila Long (front row l-r):  Shaunna Hilton, Jemma Anderson, Kayla Kuykendall, Kaitlyn Paul, Lillian Carpenter, Tanna Ray, Joslin Nodine, Sophia Castillo, Audrey Kiefel, Shyann Roberts (not pictured Pilar Easton Diaz)

Emerson Underwood, Cheri Mathews, Ellie Teal, Joslin Nodine, Olivia Kiefel, Katy Allen, Sophia Castillo, Kayla Kuykendall, and Shaunna Hilton are the returning players.

"We are looking forward to a full season, some new positions and a lot of teamwork," said Smit.

The Lady Cardinals' first volleyball match will be at St. John-Endicott on Tuesday, September 1. The Junior varsity game starts at 5 p.m., and the varsity team follows at 6 p.m.